Threats after child’s death leads to lockout at Walsenburg schools

WALSENBURG, Colo. (KRDO) -- Following the death of a student at Peakview School in Walsenburg, their father allegedly made threats towards the school and Huerfano County Buildings.

According to district superintendent Michael Moore, the student who died was a fourth-grader. Moore says the child, a 9-year-old girl, felt sick on Monday and did not go to school Tuesday or Wednesday. She passed away Thursday morning at home.

Moore says the girl was given a COVID test that came back negative earlier in the week, and at this time, he does not believe her death is COVID-related.

According to Dave McGraw with Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, the father of the girl started making threats towards the medical center. From there, he left and began making threats towards other entities.

McGraw spoke to KRDO about whether hospital officials believed the man would return.

"He is a community member so there is always that concern. We were not overly worried about it given the situation, where he was trying to get to and what he was trying to find was not available here. We feel pretty confident that he is not here, but the Sheriffs Office is still actively looking for him," McGraw said.

Huerfano County Sheriff Bruce Newman said the threats came from a "distraught, non-custodial parent" regarding his nine-year-old daughter's death. Newman said he was "very specific" about which departments and locations he threatened.

Peakview School and John Mall High School released students early due to the threats. Huerfano County buildings were also put on lockout.

At this time, Newman said there is no threat to the general public. However, Huerfano County is taking the threats very seriously and deputies are actively searching for him.

NEW: According to district superintendent Michael Moore, a fourth-grade student at Peakview School passed away this morning. A family member allegedly made credible threats to Huerfano County buildings this morning prompting a lockout. @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/EvnW3VrSFi

— Sean Rice KRDO (@SeanRiceTV) September 2, 2021

In a message to the district, Moore said grief counseling will be provided to all schools and various agencies in town.

This is a developing story.